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Related Concept Videos

Types of Signaling Molecules

Types of Signaling Molecules

In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...

Types of Signaling Molecules

Types of Signaling Molecules

In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure to...

Gas Exchange and Transport

Gas Exchange and Transport

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Sympathetic Signaling

Sympathetic Signaling

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Published on: June 9, 2017

Signaling by gasotransmitters.

Asif K Mustafa¹, Moataz M Gadalla, Solomon H Snyder

¹Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.

Science Signaling

|April 30, 2009

Summary

Nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide are key signaling molecules. They mediate functions in cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems by interacting with metalloproteins and protein targets.

Area of Science:

Physiology
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology

Background:

Nitric oxide (NO) is a recognized major signaling molecule.
Emerging evidence highlights carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as crucial physiologic mediators.
These gasotransmitters play roles in cardiovascular, immune, and nervous system functions.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the signaling mechanisms of gasotransmitters.
To focus on how these molecules interact with protein targets.
To elucidate their roles in physiological processes.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on gasotransmitter signaling.
Focus on mechanisms involving metalloprotein interactions.
Analysis of covalent modification of protein sulfhydryl groups.

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Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy

Published on: September 29, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding

Published on: June 9, 2017

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy

Mimicking the Function of Signaling Proteins: Toward Artificial Signal Transduction Therapy

Published on: September 29, 2016

Main Results:

Gasotransmitters signal through binding to metal centers in proteins like guanylyl cyclase.
They also signal by modifying sulfhydryl groups on target proteins.
These interactions are critical for their physiological functions.

Conclusions:

Carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide are increasingly recognized as important signaling molecules alongside nitric oxide.
Their signaling pathways involve direct interaction with protein targets.
Understanding these mechanisms is key to comprehending their physiological roles.